I’ve always dreamed of taking a girls trip. That trip came true this August for me, my sister, and our cousins, Katharine and Jordyn. We’d been thinking about taking a girls trip for a while, and we finally decided to just do it. Our aunt and uncle are living in Athens for the next couple of years (they work for the embassy), so we figured we had to go visit them soon and take advantage of their current location!

We began our adventure in Athens. Our days in the city were filled with exploring Monastiraki Square, marveling at the ancient Parthenon, and soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Athens was such a unique city. It was so interesting to see such a modern city glittered with ruins in “random” places. It felt like history was coming alive.

We visited Monastiraki Square during the night and day. It was such different vibes during both. Even though it was as late as 10 p.m. at night, people were still just arriving at restaurants to eat! Back where I live, it’s normal for restaurants to close at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on a weekday. 

After a couple of days in Athens, we flew to Crete, which quickly became one of my favorite places.

The island had everything—breathtaking landscapes, warm-hearted people, and unforgettable food. Two beaches stood out: Falasarna and Elafonisi, each more stunning than the last.

Watching the sunset at Falassarna felt surreal, like a scene from a painting. At first we struggled to choose what the best beach would be to visit, but we picked the ones that were easiest to get to, and they ended up being stunning. Elafonissi beach is known for its unique pink sand and glistening turquoise waters.

One of the best things to do in Crete, in my opinion, is explore the food scene. Everything is so fresh, flavorful, and I love the use of herbs and fresh olive oil. After sunset at Falasarna, we dined at Gramvousa Restaurant, a beautiful farm-to-table spot with some of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted. My favorite dish was their Cretan Salad, and lamb wrapped in Filo. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The restaurant was on part of the farm, everything was open air, no mosquitos, and beautifully decorated. It honestly felt like I was in a movie. While we waited for a table to open up, we got some drinks by the outdoor bar which was decorated in grape vines and had beautiful flowers and garnishes on display. The drinks were unique and hand-crafted. We sipped them, roamed around the restaurant’s garden, and picked grapes right off the vine: a perfect way to wait for our table.

One of the trip highlights was wandering around in Old Town Chania in Crete. It was so walkable (which is nice because you don’t need to drive and worry about parking). The Old Town was bustling with energy. There were so many restaurant options, an old fort that we walked on to watch the sunset, and plenty of little pop up shops to explore into the night. We ended up eating at a waterfront seafood restaurant that offered us some free Raki for dessert.

On our last night, we tried another farm-to-table restaurant, Peskesi, which my aunt’s friend from the embassy recommended. The fresh bread and olive oil were incredible, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The menu was detailed and explained the source of each of their menu items, its travel distance to the restaurant, and how everything impacted the environment. Everything at Peskesi was done with such care.

Leaving Greece, its delicious cuisine, and my aunt and uncle was hard. The food alone was a reason to stay! This trip with family was the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and memories that I’ll always treasure. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Until next time Crete,

Rachael